Sunday, December 17, 2006

It's 4:15 p.m. on Friday at the corner of Bathurst and Lawrence. The kosher butchers, bakeries and King David Pizza are already closed. Men in black hats and black suits hurry along darkening, cold streets. These hours of slim winter light before sunset are precious for Toronto's Orthodox Jewish community, a time of intense preparation for the day of rest and prayer. At 4:30 p.m., the 39 rules of Sabbath descend here. Or at least 38 do, depending on whether the eruv is operational. Read on ...